Tackling the Problem

Tackling the Problem

UNIVERSITY PARK, CENTRE COUNTY - Much of the focus of Bill O’Brien's weekly press conference was on Penn State's poor tackling performance against Central Florida.The Nittany Lions missed quite a few take downs in the loss to the Knights.O’Brien says that it has nothing to do with his team not hitting throughout the week at practice.

“It's not unique. The way we practice is not unique,” O’Brien says of his “thud” system that limits contact during preparation. “There's hundreds of teams out there that practice the same way we practice. It's not unique at all. I've been places where we never hit. I've been places where we hit every day and we couldn't tackle anybody. Know what I mean? It has nothing to do with that.”

O’Brien says there are other issues at work as to why his defense struggled against UCF.One was playing an offense led by a pro-prospect in quarterback Blake Bortles.As for the tackling, O’Brien says there are correctable issues to work on this week that don't require his team to hit live in practice.

“It has to do with proper technique,” O’Brien says. “It has to do with wanting to make the tackle. It has to do with being aligned properly. It has to do with how you take the block on. It will improve.”

The Nittany Lions will look to bounce back in their final non-conference game of the year.Penn State will host Kent State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

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